Although the Turlock Certified Farmers’ Market has moved to a new location and a new day before its kick-off Saturday, one thing will remain the same: the market itself as a venue of quality produce, unique handcrafted items, and live entertainment.

“This is a one-place stop for shopping,” said Market Manager Derek Griffin. “It really is a nice place to get a cup of coffee, grab some lunch, sit in the shade, and listen to some live music in downtown Turlock.”

Griffin reports that an abundance of new vendors will be joining returning vendors in calling TCFM their business homes on Saturdays, including Café Marius, which will be selling coffee and espresso beverages; Latif’s Restaurant, which will be selling whole pies and pies by the slice; Nutcher Milk Company, which will be selling plain and flavored milk; Nicolau Farms, which will be selling goat cheese; and Bistro 234 Restaurant and Bar, which will be selling biscotti and breakfast treats, as well as conducting cooking demonstrations throughout the season.

The Saturday market has other cooking demonstrations in the works, such as Indian and vegan classes, as well as other activities, including a chili cook-off and pie eating and baking contests throughout the season.

TCFM has also teamed up this year with new sponsor, Brenda Athletic Club, to provide healthy lifestyle demonstrations every other week. Although nothing is set in stone as of yet, Griffin speculates that the athletic club might host step aerobics or stretch and walking classes.

“We are just going to team up with them and kind of run with it,” said Griffin. “It should be fun.”

Additionally on opening day from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., theatre students from California State University, Stanislaus will make TCFM their stage by performing various selections from their ongoing production of “King Lear.”

“They will also break off throughout the market and interact with the crowd,” said Griffin. “Some people will be performing a combat scene, while others will be reciting poetry.”

According to Griffin, Caroline Mercier from the university’s Theatre Department reached out to TCFM in hopes of raising awareness of the production as part of the Shakespeare Under the Stars. Up until Sunday, community members can watch the performance for free at 8 p.m. in the University Amphitheatre.

This year’s TCFM will once again host a number of themed markets throughout the season, including both a Mother’s Day and Father’s Day market, Turlock Unified School District Day, Kids Day, Recycling/Composting Day, Townsend Opera Day, CSU Stanislaus Day, Senior Day, Art at the Market, and Harvest Market.

“I’m looking forward to bringing the market back to Main Street in Turlock on a Saturday,” said Griffin. “More people in the Turlock community can get involved and it’s really going to take off from here.”

The Turlock Certified Farmers Market will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays on Main Street between Center Street and Palm Street starting tomorrow through Oct. 24. For more information, visit turlockmarket.org.